Gay rights pioneer Lex Watson honoured on Queen's Bday list

The late Australian gay rights campaigner and activist Lex Watson has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on the Queen's birthday list.

Watson, who passed away last month after a long battle with cancer, was hailed as a pioneer and campaigned for LGBTI issues since 1968.

Founding the Gay Rights Lobby in 1980, which later became the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) the activist also became the first president of ACON to lead the organisation during the height of the AIDS crisis.

In recent years Watson became dedicated to recording the history of NSW's and Australia's LGBT community through his membership and presidency of the Pride History Group.Members have paid tribute to Watson with an obituary on their website here.